THICK versus THIN

Decision makers may also need to consider factors such as: * Whether park-related actives reduce the need for crime prevention (e.g., police). * If the majority of citizens prioritize parks above police. * The possibility that a 2 percent decrease for the parks department might have a greater negati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Government Finance Review 2018-02, Vol.34 (1), p.20-25
Main Authors: Mack, Mark, Adams, Chris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Budgets
Citizen participation
Citizens
Crime prevention
Decision making
Expenditures
Focus groups
Parks & recreation areas
Participation
Police
Public policy
Simulation
Software services
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Summary:Decision makers may also need to consider factors such as: * Whether park-related actives reduce the need for crime prevention (e.g., police). * If the majority of citizens prioritize parks above police. * The possibility that a 2 percent decrease for the parks department might have a greater negative impact on parks than a 2 percent decrease in police department funding would have on police operations.The article also identifies six criteria for community budget participation: * Input is representative of the community. * Large numbers of citizens have the opportunity to participate. * Input occurs early in the process. * Sincere preference/willingness to pay is revealed. * Participation includes two-way communication between the public and city officials. * The input is considered in the city's decisions.The researchers go on to comment on the benefit to policymakers. "Because the respondents are forced to make the marginal tradeoffs between various services and revenues, the results give meaningful guidance to elected officials."Major Outstanding Challenges, and How the Latest Technology Meets Them CONCLUSIONS While varying in degree, approach, and methodology, efforts to engage the public at the local level have a long history of mixed results.Since thick engagement efforts are best suited for well-informed participants, they can easily become the default approach when addressing finance-related issues.
ISSN:0883-7856